How did you get started in the banking industry?
I graduated from college in 1986 and then took some time off to travel, bartend and work various jobs to pay the rent. As most college students do, I had student loans to pay off. In 1989, about three years after graduation, I started my career in financial services as an account executive at HFC.
Believe it or not, I was working on a Saturday at Doc and Eddy’s, and the branch manager and assistant branch manager at the local HFC called in for a lunch order. I took the order and started up a conversation. As they say, “the rest is history.” I was interviewed and hired to work in St Louis, Missouri. It was my first real career job and was an amazing training experience. As you can imagine, in 1989 and early 1990s, interest rates were nowhere near the historic lows we see now, so it was commonplace to make consumer unsecured loans and pay off first mortgages at rates in double digits. It was a lot of fun calling on customers and helping them get their financial lives in order. Our customers were looking for quick decision-making and low payments without the hassle of going into a traditional bank. I was proud of what we did to help our customers. I know the finance company industry was considered second or third to banking, but each time I helped a customer get their financial health in order, there was a lot of satisfaction.
Over the next 20 years, I continued to work for both HFC and Citibank learning all about financial services, but not really community banking and its impact on business. I moved to New Mexico while working for Citibank and then landed with First Community Bank in 2007. I was so excited to finally get to work with a true community bank and see the impact of lending to New Mexico businesses and investing in the community.
Unfortunately, four years later, we know how this chapter ended. But I learned so much, and even though the outcome was not what any of us wanted, the lessons learned have helped me be the banker I am now, as president and COO for Southwest Capital Bank.
What has been the best part of being a banker?
The best part about being a community banker is the ability to make a difference in the lives of our customers and employees. As a community banker, you get to make decisions daily, which can immediately be put into action. I have always enjoyed the people aspect of banking, working closely with our employees and customers and giving back to the communities we serve. Being able to help set the strategic course of the bank and then work with our team to execute this vision is extremely rewarding.
What changes do you foresee in our industry and in New Mexico in the next five years?
I believe, unfortunately, we will continue to see consolidation in the community banking space. Several community banks, which are either family-owned or whose shareholders are looking for an exit strategy, will be forced to merge or sell to satisfy their shareholders. I also think we will see faster payments and a move to a more digitized approach to banking. COVID-19 has changed the game due to banks closing their lobbies to customers for extended periods, numerous workers working from home, and an accelerated push to electronic banking. Younger customers are not opening bank accounts in a branch and want to do everything on their phone or laptop. I also think we will see a hiring challenge for experienced bankers as the old-school traditional banker will soon age out and retire.
Specifically, in New Mexico, full-service community banks will make difficult decisions to try and hire up and compete or throw in the towel and sell. I sure hope New Mexico will not see a state bank in the future; however, with our state 100% one-party government, the chance is greater than any other time.
Do you have any advice for young bankers?
Look, listen and learn. It sounds so simple; however, younger bankers can truly build a career in banking if they are patient and willing to gain the experience necessary to succeed long-term. In addition, the older bankers need to be willing to mentor and challenge the younger bankers and trust them to do the right thing. I have enjoyed my 32 years in financial services and am grateful to all who helped me along the way. I feel it is our duty to pay it forward with the new generation of bankers and ensure our knowledge and experience is passed on.
Please tell us about your family.
I have an amazing family.
My wife, Robin Brule, is an awesome wife and partner. She is always supporting me and is much more impactful in the community with her work than I could ever be. She is a senior director with Filene Research Institute. Their motto is “Changing lives through innovation, truth and cooperation.”
We have three great adult children:
- Michael is a doctor at Loyola Hospital in Chicago.
- Emma is a technical business development specialist with Sandia National Labs, here in Albuquerque.
- AnnaGrace is a Music Business senior at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
In addition, we have two dogs and two cats.
What are your interests outside of banking?
Robin and I love to travel. We also like to binge-watch silly reality TV and escape by going to the movies, although that has been on hold now for the year and a half since the pandemic started. We used to love going to Flix Brewhouse back when it was open. Now, unfortunately, it has closed.
Covid-19 truly was a game-changer in forcing banks and the world to adapt and adjust to an environment like we never experienced before.
You served as a Bernalillo County Commissioner for several years. How rewarding was that experience, and how did you balance your day job as a banker with your commissioner duties?
It was such an honor to hold an elected office as a Bernalillo County Commissioner. When I decided to run for office, my goal was to keep my career in banking and serve the constituents of District 4. I was able to do this for eight years and was elected Chair of the Bernalillo County Commission my last year. The county commissioner role was set up to be a part-time position, so it was not difficult to balance my work at Southwest Capital Bank with serving Bernalillo County. Many times, the work overlapped, and both jobs benefited. I was fortunate that Greg Levenson supported me in doing both jobs.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you and your bankers? What challenges did you overcome, and what lessons would you share in time with future leaders?
Covid-19 truly was a game-changer in forcing banks and the world to adapt and adjust to an environment like we never experienced before. Many of us have gone through financial market meltdowns and extreme negative banking situations; however, this was a global, personal, and business phenomenon. Lockdowns, no travel, businesses closing, supply chain disruptions, extreme loss of life of friends and family, confusion, stress, fear, isolation, masking up, the race to vaccinate, and the list goes on. As bankers, we all needed to continue to provide essential services to our customers while also ensuring we protected our employees and our families. Drive-ups, online and mobile banking, night drop, curbside banking, Zoom and Teams meetings, and work from home were all new and old banking solutions all bankers quickly put into full motion.
The biggest lesson we learned is, we all try and prepare for all types of business disruption and disaster recovery; however, no matter how much you think you are ready, something unexpected will happen. This sort of event is when you need to think quickly, make decisions, and always rely on common sense. Showing confidence, compassion and empathy go a long way to helping you deal with any situation.
What is your claim to fame? Success as a banker or as a political figure?
I do not feel like I have a claim to fame. I am proud of the work I have done over the past 32 years and the great colleagues and customers I have been able to work with. I am blessed to have a great wife and family, and I enjoy watching our children start their journeys and adventures in life.
It has been rewarding to watch Southwest Capital Bank grow and handle the challenges of being a family owned independent community bank. I am proud of developing a best-in-class cannabis-related business banking process and helping to provide financial services to this legitimate legal New Mexico industry. Finally, being elected chair of the Bernalillo County Commission was very cool, and I will always remember my days on the commission.
